Newcastle could be seeking a new manager, having given Alan Pardew permission to speak to Crystal Palace about the vacant position at Selhurst Park.

Here Press Association Sport looks at some of the contenders to replace the 53-year-old in the St James’ Park hot-seat.

TONY PULIS

Did an exceptional job lifting Crystal Palace to 11th place last season, before leaving the club by mutual consent at the start of the current campaign. He can expect to be linked to most Premier League clubs who are seeking a new manager, although having reportedly left the Eagles due to a falling out with co-chairman Steve Parish over transfers, it remains to be seen whether Magpies owner Mike Ashley would give Pulis the financial support he may require.

STEVE BRUCE

Northumberland-born, the 53-year-old is a Newcastle supporter with plenty of experience – including two and a half years at arch-rivals Sunderland. Currently at Hull, who he led to the FA Cup final last season, although they are currently struggling at the wrong end of the Barclays Premier League.

FRANK DE BOER

The 44-year-old was strongly linked to the vacant manager’s position at Tottenham earlier this year. He played more than 300 games for the club he now manages, Ajax, while also playing more than 100 games for Holland. Has an impressive contacts book following a playing career which also took in Barcelona, Rangers and Galatasaray.

TIM SHERWOOD

Sherwood was sacked as Tottenham head coach in May, less than five months into an 18-month contact with the club he once played for. Part of Blackburn’s 1995 title-winning side, he was also a midfielder with Watford, Norwich, Portsmouth and Coventry. Had talks with Parish over the vacant Palace manager’s job in August – and the 45-year-old is believed to be ready for a return to top flight management.

ALLY McCOIST

Mike Ashley has sprung a surprise or two before in his reign at St James’ Park, so McCoist may not be the outsider many consider him. The 52-year-old former Scotland international striker, currently on garden leave after handing in his resignation at Rangers before Christmas, presided over a testing time in the Scottish side’s history. Another contender with connections to local rivals Sunderland, he played more than 50 games for the Wearside club prior to his move to Ibrox in 1983.

FABRICIO COLOCCINI

The Argentinian defender is being tipped to take over in a caretaker capacity while Ashley seeks a permanent replacement for Pardew. Coloccini is certainly a favorite with the fans, having made more than 200 appearance for the Magpies since he joined the club in 2008.